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Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Apr 23, 2019 - Notice of from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services extending the comment period for the March 4th proposed rule with the same title. Comments are now due on June 3, 2019 and effective dates of policies related to the rule will be adjusted as necessary based on public comments.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 23, 2019 - Notice from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology extending the comment period of a previously published proposed rule implementing several provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, including health information technology developer certification requirements, provisions to support interoperability, and more. Comments are now due June 3, 2019.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 22, 2019 - Describes the 10% of the U.S. population that don't use the internet. Includes demographic statistics on race, age, income, education, and rurality.
Source: Pew Research Center
Apr 19, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the second draft of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) is open for public comment. TEFCA supports the full, network-to-network exchange of health information nationally. The updated draft incorporates previous stakeholder comments and includes changes to draft requirements. Comments are due June 17, 2019.
Source: HHS Press Office
Apr 19, 2019 - Extends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) comment period for two proposed rules originally published on February 11, 2019. Public comments on the proposed rules to promote health information technology (HIT) interoperability and assist patients access their health information electronically are now being accepted through June 3, 2019.
Source: HHS Press Office
Apr 17, 2019 - Details a recent Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) data brief examining trends in how hospitals use electronic health record (EHR) data to improve clinical practices and hospital processes. Includes information and discussion on small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Source: EHR Intelligence
Apr 11, 2019 - While nearly all hospitals offer patient access to electronic health information, less than 25% of patients activate their online patient portals, and only 14% of rural hospital patients. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also found that fewer rural and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) provided patients with the ability to view and transmit their health data.
Source: HIT Infrastructure
Apr 9, 2019 - Press release from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on updates to their Promoting Interoperability Programs website. Highlights resources for Critical Access Hospitals and other hospitals.
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Mar 21, 2019 - Details discussion with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scoot Gottlieb calling for increased oversight and examination of the use of electronic health records (EHRs) based on previously reported injuries and safety issues due to EHRs.
Source: Kaiser Health News
Mar 21, 2019 - Prepared remarks from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai at the March 21, 2019 USTelecom Forum on Reinventing Broadband Mapping. Highlights the importance of data collection and mapping of fixed and mobile broadband services to ensure broadband access for all Americans.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Mar 18, 2019 - Discusses the original push for electronic health records (EHR), based on the idea that digitizing this information would make things easier for providers and safer for patients, and the reality of EHRs today. Details medical errors, faulty software, physician burnout, and more.
Source: Kaiser Health News
Mar 4, 2019 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of a proposed rule intending to promote interoperability and access to information to inform individuals' healthcare decisions, including if eligible hospitals or CAHs are meaningful EHR users for the interoperability program. Comments are due May 3, 2019.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 4, 2019 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implementing several provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act, including health information technology developer certification requirements, provisions to support interoperability, and more. Comments are due May 3, 2019.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 4, 2019 - Notice from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology updating the 2019 Health Information Technology Advisory Committee schedule for the review of policy recommendations and priorities.
Source: Federal Register

Last Updated: 4/23/2019